Panthers introduce new coach DeBoer

Peter DeBoer was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Florida Panthers Monday in Sunrise, Fla.

The 40-year-old DeBoer said he was excited about the opportunity.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of guiding this franchise back to the playoffs and to putting a team on the ice that our fans in South Florida can be proud of,” DeBoer was quoted as saying in a statement released by the team.

DeBoer coached the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League the past seven seasons, winning a Memorial Cup in 2003. He was 53-11-0-4 with Kitchener this past season, winning the OHL championship and making it to the final of the Memorial Cup before losing to Spokane. He also coached the Detroit/Plymouth Wahlers and won 539 games overall in the OHL.

General manager Jacques Martin praised DeBoer?s hockey mind.

“Peter was our top candidate to fill the coaching vacancy and we are very pleased that he has decided to join our organization,” Martin said in the statement. “He is a great hockey mind who will complement our coaching staff very well. He has been very successful in the junior ranks and I am confident that he will help our franchise accomplish its goals.”

DeBoer was drafted in the 12th round by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1988, but never made it to the NHL. He played two seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.

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